The United States and Japan will step up their defence cooperation to deal with the threat from nuclear-armed North Korea as tensions in East Asia remain high, officials from the two allies said on Thursday.

Parrot concerns suspend Tas logging

Logging on Bruny Island, south of Hobart, has been temporarily suspended as part of efforts to save the dwindling habitat of the critically endangered swift parrot.

Tasmanian resources minister Paul Harriss on Thursday told parliament that plans by Forestry Tasmania to begin works on the island in early 2016 will be put off.

"It has been decided to temporarily cease harvesting on Bruny Island, pending the completion of an evidence-based swift parrot management plan informed by an Australian government reassessment of the status of the species," he said.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature in October listed the parrot as critically endangered, following data from researchers showing the birds are in rapid decline as they fight the threat of logging and their main predator, the sugar glider.

Bruny Island is considered the sole remaining nesting habitat for the parrot which is free from gliders and conservationists have called for its forests to be protected for the sake of the bird.

"The government, in consultation with Forestry Tasmania, has recognised the special circumstances of Bruny Island in relation to the swift parrot," Mr Harriss said.

"If the evidence-based research demonstrates the need to permanently exclude forestry operations from areas of swift parrot habitat beyond those already protected, the government will need to consider what further action may be required."

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"This is a good first step, but not sufficient to ensure the survival of this beautiful small bird which needs logging halted across all of its breeding habitat to ensure its survival," Markets For Change spokeswoman Peg Putt said.

The group is calling for a permanent ban on forestry activities on Bruny Island.

"There seems to be a suggestion that after preparation of some type of recovery plan or management plan for the species logging may resume, but that's not acceptable if we are committed to see this species survive and flourish."

Former Australian Greens leader and Tasmanian senator Bob Brown has previously called for prime ministerial intervention to ensure protection measures for the swift parrot.